Free Hazel the Happy Hamster Amigurumi Crochet Pattern: Cute & Easy

Introduction

Scurry into sweetness with Hazel the Happy Hamster Amigurumi! This tiny hamster, with its chubby cheeks, golden-brown fur, and a sunflower in its paws, is a burst of kawaii joy. As Professor Patricia Poltera, I’ve crafted this beginner-friendly pattern (about 2-3 hours) to be simple yet oh-so-adorable, using basic stitches and minimal sewing. Offering this heartwarming pattern free of charge is possible thanks to the support that keeps our cozy craft studio humming. Let’s crochet this happy little pal!

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight cotton yarn for smooth, tight stitches.
  • Soft golden-brown (e.g., Scheepjes Catona “Camel”) – 50g for body/head/ears/limbs.
  • Bright white (e.g., Scheepjes Catona “Snow White”) – 10g for cheeks.
  • Soft pink (e.g., Hobbii Rainbow Cotton “Baby Pink”) – small amount for nose.
  • Bright yellow (e.g., Scheepjes Catona “Lemon”) – 10g for sunflower petals.
  • Dark brown (e.g., Scheepjes Catona “Coffee”) – 5g for sunflower center.
• Crochet Hook: 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) for dense texture.
• Safety Eyes: 6mm black, round (2 pieces).
• Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill for plush form.
• Tools: Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors.
• Optional: Pins for assembly.

Swap colors to make Hazel your own! Quality cotton yarn gives a polished look, and safety eyes add that sparkly, kawaii charm.

Jump Straight to Pattern Instructions

Recommended Supplies

For a perfect Hazel:

• Scheepjes Catona Yarn: Vibrant and easy to work with. Available at craft stores.
• 6mm Safety Eyes: Secure and adorable. Find at trusted suppliers.
• Polyester Fiberfill Stuffing: Lightweight and plush. Widely available.

Pro Tip: Use cotton yarn for amigurumi to keep stitches tight and shapes lasting.

Skills Required & Techniques

Difficulty: Beginner – Features single crochet, simple shaping, and minimal sewing. Perfect for new crocheters, with no tricky stitches.

• Techniques:
  • Magic ring: For a tight start to round pieces.
  • Single crochet (sc): Creates smooth texture.
  • Increase (inc): Shapes Hazel’s chubby body.
  • Invisible decrease (invdec): For neat tapering.
  • Whip stitch: To attach cheeks, ears, limbs, sunflower.
  • Embroidery: For tiny nose.

Single crochet ensures a dense, plush feel, while the magic ring keeps Hazel’s body tidy.

Mastering Tension

Smooth tension is key for a cute amigurumi. Hold yarn gently, letting it glide. Check stitches often – they should be even, hiding stuffing. I once hurried a hamster’s cheeks and got uneven patches; pausing to adjust my grip made all the difference!

Abbreviations

• ch: Chain
• sc: Single crochet
• inc: Increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• invdec: Invisible decrease
• sl st: Slip stitch
• st: Stitch
• Rnd: Round

A Note on Photos & Your Unique Hazel the Happy Hamster

The photos show one version of Hazel the Happy Hamster using specific yarns. Your Hazel might look slightly different based on yarn, tension, or colors – that’s the magic of crochet! These quirks make your hamster uniquely yours. Use this pattern as your guide and enjoy crafting your cuddly friend!

Pattern Notes

• Work in continuous rounds unless stated. Use a stitch marker.
• Use a 2.5mm hook for tight stitches to hide stuffing.
• Stuff firmly but gently to keep Hazel’s pear shape soft.
• Pin components before sewing for precision.
• Read all instructions first.

Pattern Instructions

Body/Head:

Use soft golden-brown yarn.

1. Rnd 1: Magic ring, 6 sc [6]
2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st [12]
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) repeat 6 times [18]
4. Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 st, inc) repeat 6 times [24]
5. Rnd 5-9: sc in each st [24]
6. Rnd 10: (sc in next 2 st, invdec) repeat 6 times [18]

Attach safety eyes between Rnd 7-8, 4 stitches apart.

7. Rnd 11: (sc, invdec) repeat 6 times [12]

Stuff firmly with fiberfill.

8. Rnd 12: Invdec 6 times [6]

Fasten off, weave in end.

Cheeks (make 2):

Use bright white yarn.

1. Rnd 1: Magic ring, 6 sc [6]
2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st [12]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Lightly stuff for puffed effect.

Ears (make 2):

Use soft golden-brown yarn.

1. Rnd 1: Magic ring, 6 sc [6]
2. Rnd 2: (sc, inc) repeat 3 times [9]

Flatten, do not stuff. Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Arms/Legs (make 4):

Use soft golden-brown yarn.

1. Rnd 1: Magic ring, 6 sc [6]
2. Rnd 2-3: sc in each st [6]

Lightly stuff. Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Sunflower:

Center: Use dark brown yarn.

1. Rnd 1: Magic ring, 6 sc [6]

Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Petals: Use bright yellow yarn.

1. Rnd 1: Attach to center, (ch 3, sl st in next st) repeat 6 times [6 petals]

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Nose:

With soft pink yarn, embroider a single horizontal stitch between eyes (Rnd 8).

Assembly Instructions

1. Cheeks: Sew to face, covering Rnd 7-9, below eyes, using whip stitch. Ensure puffed effect.
2. Ears: Sew to top of head at Rnd 3-4, slightly curved for shape.
3. Arms/Legs: Sew two limbs to sides at Rnd 9 (arms) and two under body at Rnd 4-5 (legs) for stability.
4. Sunflower: Sew to front, held between arms at Rnd 9.
5. Nose: Secure embroidery stitch.

Tips and Tricks

• Plush Stuffing: Add fiberfill in small bits, using a chopstick for even cheeks and body.
• Symmetrical Cheeks: Pin cheeks before sewing to align with eyes (Rnd 7-9).
• Tidy Magic Ring: Pull tail tightly after Rnd 1 to close the hole completely.
• Customize: Add a tiny bow with pink yarn at Rnd 9 for extra sweetness.

Pro Tip: Lightly stuff cheeks and pin them snugly to Rnd 7-9 for that perfect chubby hamster look (see visual aid).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Cheeks uneven at Rnd 2? Ensure even increases and stuff lightly for puffiness. Re-crochet if lumpy.
• Sunflower slipping? Sew through both center and petals to secure it between arms (Rnd 9).

Gifting Your Handmade Masterpiece

Present Hazel in a small basket with faux sunflower petals for a charming gift. Add a tag saying, “Handmade with Joy!” to highlight its love-filled creation.

Conclusion & Care

Hooray for crocheting Hazel the Happy Hamster! This 4-inch cutie is perfect for gifting or brightening your space. Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap; air dry to keep it snuggly. Your enthusiasm and engagement help keep patterns like this freely available. Share your Hazel in the comments or on social media – I’d love to see her! Happy Crocheting! – Professor Patricia Poltera, trendydecos.com.

FAQs

• What’s the best yarn for this hamster amigurumi? DK cotton yarn, like Scheepjes Catona, is durable and great for beginners.
• Why use a 2.5mm hook? It creates tight stitches, hiding stuffing and giving Hazel a smooth look.
• How do I sew the cheeks perfectly? Pin them to Rnd 7-9 and use whip stitch for a secure, puffy effect (see visual aid).
• **Why is-- My Hazel doesn’t stand well? Sew legs closer together at Rnd 4-5 and stuff firmly for stability.

Copyright Notice

© 2025 Professor Patricia Poltera – trendydecos.com. This pattern is for personal use only. You may not sell or distribute this pattern. You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please credit Professor Patricia Poltera / trendydecos.com as the designer.

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